Finger-tip pencil



July 24, 1928.

E. GREGORY FINGER TIP PENCIL Filed March 5, 1926 III Patented duly 24,1928.

EUGENE GREGORY, 0F ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN.

FINGER-TIP PENCIL.

Application filed March 5, 1926. Serial No. 92,577.

This invention is an improvement in pocket pencils, and is what I term afingertip pencil as it is designed to be held between the finger tipslike a stubpencii instead of like an ordinary long pencil, although thepencil may be made of any desired length. The object of the invention'18 to provide a very simple pencil with interchangeable leads, andwhich is capable 01' holding a large quantity of leads, can be easilymanip ulatcd, and is preferably so short that it can be easily carriedin any pocket.

In the accoi'npanying drawings 1 have shown. forms of pencils embodyingthe H1- vention and will describe the same with reterence thereto; andrefer to the claims for summaries of the essentials of the invention andnovel features of construction and novel combinations of parts for whichprotection is desired.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspectiveview showing a pencil and manner of usingthesamer Figure 2 is an enlarged View otthe pencil detached.

Figure 3 is a sectional View on the line 3-8,Figure 2.

Fgure l is a front end view of the pencil.

Figure 5 is a View of the lead ejector detached.

Figure 6 is a side view of a slight modification.

Figure 7 is a sectional view on the line 7(', Figure 6.

As shown the pencil comprises a casing formed or" a plurality of similartubes 1 arranged parallel and closely adjacent and surrounding a smallerinner tube or lead duct, 2, which latter tube may project beyond thelower ends or" the tubes 1, and has its outer end preferably split andconstructed to bite and hold the pencil leads in the usual manner whensuch leads are forced therethrough.

The lower ends of the tubes 1 are preferably contracted as indicated at1 so that the pencil as a whole resembles a longitudinally flutedbullet. The pencil may be made of drawn metal; and can be economicallymade by shaping the tubes 1 and 2 separately and then uniting them bysoldering, welding, or other suitable manner to form a practicallyintegral bullet-shaped casing. Each tube 1 is adapted to contain aquantity of pencil leads L, of the usual type, while the tube 2 is justlarge enough to accommodate one of these leads.

A lead L is inserted in the tube 2 and can be ejected therefrom by anysuitable means. As shown a U-shaped ejector is provided, having an innermember 3 adapted to enter the tube 2, and an outer member 3 which liesoutside of the tube 2 and between adjacent tubes 1, and the bend 3" ofthe ejector can move in longitudinal slot 2 in the tube 2, so that themember 3 will lie between two adjacent tubes 1 and be concealed andprotected thereby. This ejector may have a inger piece 8 on its outerend by which it can be easily manipulated so as to force the leadoutwardly through the tube 2 and toward the split end thereof, asdesired.

In the preferred form the pencil has three tubes which forms a pencilstock of most convenient shape to be grasped by the finger tips of theoperator, as indicated in Figure 1. Figures 6 and 7 show a constructionin which four tubes are employed, the construction, arrangement andgeneral appearance however being the same as in Figures 1 to 5, andsimilar parts being similarly lettered and therefore need no detailedexplanation.

The outer ends of the tubes 1 may be closed by any suitable means. Asshown in the drawings covers 6, conforming in shape to the cross sectionof the pencil stocks, are used; said cover may be hinged to the stool:in any suitable manner, as indicated at 6 and may be held closed by anysuitable means, such as are commonly used.

The novel pencil can be readily carried in the vest pocket and is alwaysready for use. Each contains a number of leads, and when made ofsuitable metal or other material and properly finished it forms apractical, useful piece of jewelry or pocket piece.

The three-tube arrangement makes a form especially fitting the fingertips, facilitating easy holding. This form or arrangement also brings anopen re-entrant angle into direct and necessary connection with theejecting slot in the central tube.

It is important to note that this construction conceals the slot andfurnishes a sunlicn channel for the outer, operating lug of the plunger.

I claim:

1. A pocket pencil comprising an inner tube adapted to contain a singlelead, a plurality ot parallel outer tubes surroundthe inner tube andattached thereto and to each other also adapted to contain leads; eachouter tube being open at one end and having its other end tapered andclosed, the end of the inner tube projecting beyond the closel taperedends of the outer tubes; and a hinged closure for the open ends of thetubes.

,2. A pencil comprising a plurality of outer tubes arranged parallel, aninner tube, and an ejector operating in the inner tube and having anoperating member extending through a slot in the inner tube and lyingbetween adjacent outer tubes; said outer tubes being tapered and closedat one end, and such tapered ends converging toward the inner tube.

5. A pocket pencil comprising an inner tube adapted to contain a singlelead, a plurality of parallel outer tubes surrounding the inner tube andattached thereto the inner tube having a slot in one side betweenadjacent outer tubes; and'an ejector entered in the inner tube andprojecting through the said slot and having an operating member lyingbetween adjacent outer tubes and adapted to be engaged by the fingers.

L. A pocket pencil comprising an inner tube adapted to contain a singlelead, a plurality of parallel outer tubes surrounding the inner tube andattached thereto and to eacn other, adapted to contain leads; such outertube being open at one end and having the other end closed and taered,the end of the inner tube projecting beyond he closed ends of the outertubes; the inner tube having a slot in one side adjacent the outertubes, and an ejector entered in the inner tube and pro ecting through aslot in the inner tube between adjacent outer tubes,

41A pencil comprising a plurality of outer lead containing tubesarrange-d parallel, an inner tube adapted to contain a single lead andextending beyond the outer tubes at one end, the outer tubes beingclosed at one end, such closed ends converging toward the inner tube; aclosure for the open ends of the tubes, and an ejector in the inner tubeand having an operative member extending through a slot in the said tubeand lying between adjacent outer tubes.

6. A pocket pencil comrising an inner tube adapted to contain a singlelead, a plurality of parallel outer tubes surrounding the inner tube andattached thereto and to each other, adapted to contain leads; such outertubes being open at one end and having the other end closed and tapered,such closes tapered ends conv rging toward the inner tube; the end ofthe inner tube projecting beyond the closed tapered ends of the outertubes; and the inner tube having a slot in one side adjacent the outertubes; with an ejector having one memb-cr adapted to enter the innertube and an outer member project-ing through a slot in the inner tubebetween adjacent outer tubes, and adapted to be engaged by the fingersto move the ejector longitudinally; and a closure for the open ends ofthe tubes.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I afi ix mysignature.

EUGENE GREGORY.

